Personal Development

Posted at 10:15 am on 4th September, 2019

Personal Development at SEACA

We strive to provide a curriculum that is designed to empower and inspire learners with powerful knowledge; to develop literacy and numeracy skills and foster love of learning, strength of character and deepen faith and joy, so that our learners are equipped with the keys to open doors and the courage to feel they can open them. In doing so, we fulfil our mission "I have come so that they have life and live it to the full" (John 10:10).

At Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy we are seeking to embed an ambitious and knowledge rich curriculum, but there is also a very clear focus on the development of every member of our school community as a well-rounded individual who truly experiences 'life in all its fullness'.

We seek to develop strength of character, courage, values, self-esteem, individuality and provide enhancement opportunities through a clearly defined and well-rounded Personal Development programme. The wider development of our young people is a golden thread which runs through everything we do.

 

 

 

British Values

The promotion of 'British values' is central to Catholic education because British values have their origin in the Christian values of our nation.

British values are considered to be:

• Democracy
• Rule of law
• Individual liberty
• Mutual respect
• Tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs.

At Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy we recognise not only the importance of helping pupils to develop academically but also spiritually, morally, socially and culturally. Our aim is that they are fully prepared for life in British society, to take their role as good citizens, able to make the best possible contribution to the Common Good. Within a framework of Catholic Christian Values, we teach the importance of British Values by going much deeper into the meaning of what it is to live a good life. This provides the context and meaning for understanding why British values are important.

The examples on the document that follows are an indication of some of the many ways we seek to embed British values at SEACA and should be seen as an indication of our approach rather than an exhaustive list.

British Values at SEACA.pdf

 

RSHE

Stemming from our mission statement of every pupil at SEACA experiencing 'life in all its fullness', we seek to educate the whole person; spiritually, morally, emotionally, psychologically and physically towards Christian maturity. Through our RSHE curriculum we seek to equip our pupils with the knowledge that will enable them to make informed decisions about their wellbeing, health and relationships and to build their self-efficacy. We also seek to develop our pupils' capacity to make sound decisions when facing risks and challenges and to support our pupils to develop resilience, to know how and when to ask for help, and to know how to access support.

We recently consulted with all parents about our RSHE policy and received the following responses, all of which will be used to continue to refine our RSHE policy and curriculum.

The Relationships, Sex and Health Education policy is clearly written and easy to understand.
99% of parents responded 'Yes'.

Could any parts of our policy be made clearer?

96% of parents responded 'No'. Of those who responded 'Yes', none indicated which section specifically they felt could be made clearer.

After reading our RSHE policy, do you understand how to submit a request to withdraw your child from the non-statutory components of sex education within Relationships and Sex Education?

94% of parents responded 'Yes'.

The RSHE policy makes it clear what topics my child will learn about regarding Relationships, Sex and Health Education during their time at SEACA.

99% of parents responded 'Yes'.

Parents were then provided with an overview of the key topics and themes covered as part of the RSHE curriculum and asked to rank these according to what they perceieved to be priority topics.

The following 3 high priority topics were identified and will be prioritised in curriculum planning for the 2022-23 academic year:

• Bullying
• Being safe, including online
• Sexual harrasment and violence